Wrestling world pays tribute to Dennis Condrey
The wrestling world is paying tribute to Dennis Condrey in the wake of his passing.
News broke on Friday evening that the founding member of The Midnight Express had passed away at 74.
William Regal wrote:
“I didn’t see any American Wrestling until nearly 2 years after I was already a Wrestler as it wasn’t shown in the UK. The first US Wrestling I saw was the NWA and on that tape were The Midnight Express comprising of my later tag partner Bobby Eaton and Dennis Condrey. I only met Dennis a few times but was always in awe of his and the Midnight’s ability. My deepest condolences to Dennis’s family and friends. Rest well.”
Nick Aldis wrote of Condrey:
“RIP the great Dennis Condrey: When I think of this business as a craft, Dennis Condrey is as good as any craftsmen professional wrestling ever had. For me, pro wrestling is at its best when it’s a combination of technical skill, perfect timing and rugged, believable aggression; Dennis Condrey embodied that combination flawlessly. I can (and do) watch classic Midnight Express matches over and over again, and appreciate something I didn’t notice before every time I watch it. Nuances, details, absolute commitment to making the opponent with selling.
“A PHD in Pro Wrestling is available for free by watching this man work. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to meet and spend some time with Dennis Condrey and the other members of the Midnights at various times over the years and let them know their contributions are deeply appreciated. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and teammates today. We bid farewell to a genuine master. My friend Dax Harwood has set up a GoFundMe to allow people to contribute to funeral costs and to support Dennis’ wife Theresa: Any contribution is greatly appreciated: Fundraiser by David Harwood : In Memory of Dennis Condrey”
AEW wrote:
“AEW and the wrestling world are mourning the passing of Loverboy Dennis Condrey, one half of the legendary Midnight Express. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends and fans during this difficult time.”
Our own Dave Meltzer wrote:
“So sorry to hear about the death of Dennis Condrey. Condrey & Bobby Eaton were the best American tag team of their era and high on the list of greatest tag teams that ever lived. I can’t speak highly enough of them, and just how complete of pro wrestlers both were, execution, drama, comedy, heel psychology, making the babyfaces look strong and the element of Jim Cornette’s interviews that made them legit big draws in multiple places. While people will talk about the Midnight Express with Eaton, he had a great tag team with Phil Hickerson, and strong team with Randy Rose, Norvell Austin, David Schultz and really he was one of the best tag team wrestlers of all-time. Wishing the best to his family and friends.”
Ricky Morton wrote:
“It’s hard to even find the words right now… because losing my dear friend Dennis Condrey feels like losing a piece of my own life. Dennis wasn’t just someone I shared a ring with. He was part of an era, a brother in this wild journey…”
“and a man who helped shape what professional wrestling meant to so many people. We traveled the roads, lived the highs and lows, and created memories that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my days.”
“People saw the competitor, the toughness, the presence… but I got to know the man behind it all. A man with heart, with grit, and with a love for this business that never faded. Those are the things I’ll miss the most.”
“The conversations, the laughs, and just knowing he was still out there. The wrestling world lost someone truly special… but I lost a friend I’ll never forget. Rest easy, Dennis. Thank you for the memories, the miles, and the moments. You’ll always have a place in my heart.”
The National Wrestling Alliance wrote:
“𝙍𝙀𝙈𝙀𝙈𝘽𝙀𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝘿𝙀𝙉𝙉𝙄𝙎 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝘿𝙍𝙀𝙔 The National Wrestling Alliance is saddened to note the passing of “Loverboy” Dennis Condrey, one of the most accomplished tag team wrestlers in history. A founding member of the legendary Midnight Express, Condrey’s most well-known partner was “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton. Managed by Jim Cornette, Condrey and Eaton captured tag gold across the U.S. South and reigned as NWA World Tag Team Champions for seven months in 1986. The Midnights’ feud with The Rock ‘n Roll Express defined a generation and propelled tag wrestling into the main event. As one of the most profitable rivalries of the 1980s the teams headlined countless live events. Condrey and Eaton followed with an intense series against The Road Warriors, culminating in an infamous scaffold match at Starcade ‘86: The Night of the Skywalkers. Soon after, as The Original Midnight Express, Paul E. Dangerously led “Loverboy” Dennis and partner “Ravishing” Randy Rose to the AWA World Tag Team Titles. The trio then jumped to NWA to begin a heated contest with Condrey’s former manager Cornette with Eaton and his new partner “Sweet” Stan Lane. During a career spanning 1973-2011, Condrey won more than 50 pro wrestling championships. A true legend in the sport, his legacy will continue for generations to come. The National Wrestling Alliance extends its most sincere condolences to the family, friends and fans of Dennis Condrey. RIP “Loverboy” Dennis.”
Missy Hyatt wrote:
“Rest in piece dennis condrey. He entertained me as the midbight express w/ norvell austin & randy rose when i watched South eastern. Loved the midnight express vs midnight express match from starrcade 88. Thanks for the menories & entertaining me, still to this day.”
Tully Blanchard wrote:
“I am reflecting on Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton during our time with JCP. 2 of the best in the wrestling business. Dennis has joined Bobby again in eternity.”
Adam Pearce wrote:
“Godspeed, Dennis Condrey. Tag Team Wrestling is an art form in our industry. Its timing, pace, and psychology a beautifully woven mosaic on canvas. And throughout my years, I don’t know that I’ve seen anyone any better at wielding that Tag Team brushstroke than “Loverboy” Dennis. I didn’t get to spend a lot of time around him; only chance meetings on occasion. But people I care about care for him deeply, and that speaks volumes to me. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and countless colleagues, who like me may feel as though a cornerpiece in the puzzle that is Tag Team Wrestling is now lost to time. Rest well, sir. And thank you.”
As of this writing, $14,073 has been raised through a GoFundMe campaign to assist the Condrey family with bills and funeral expenses.
Top donors listed include Chris Jericho, Matt Jackson, Cody Rhodes, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, Brian Last, Nick Aldis, Steven New, Thomas Billington, and referee Shawn Bennett, among others. A link to the GoFundMe is here.
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.